In the autumn of 1962 MIT took the very bold step to use the new integrated circuits ( that had been introduced in 1961 ) in their AGC computer design as it would help make a lightweight compact unit. By 1963, MIT - during the testing and development of the AGC Block I units - had ordered and consumed some 60% of the then world's available IC's ! It was this early NASA/MIT Apollo requirement that helped spur the computer industry into further development, production and marketing of integrated circuits . For interest, the first commercially available product for sale was a hearing aid amplifier in 1964.

Today, the IC (microchip) market is worth billions of dollars worldwide and sees microchips at the heart of thousands of products like tvs, radios, car electronics ,computers, digital cameras ,mobile phones ,digital watches ,washing machines ,vending machines and so on.

Phill Parker (international award winning space writer from N. Staffs ) has been presented with one of these historic integrated circuits from what is believed to be the only sole surviving Apollo spacecraft AGC Block I computer unit from 1963. This circuit is even rarer since the original ICs used in Apollo AGCÂ’s were encapsulated in a resin type material in a process called 'potting' to ensure electrical safety and protection of the circuits . This historic IC ,however, has had the potting carefully removed to reveal the components inside. This sole surviving Apollo AGC Block I unit is so rare that MIT is negotiating to try and buy it to add to its museum in Massachusetts !